Building a custom ARCO Colt.

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OrangeAnimal

Active Member
#1
#1
I have started building this old Arco colt and I am debating what to do with the pivoting frame. It’s sloppy and I have put a new steering neck on it and forks from a Honda urban express moped. I am waiting for a smaller front wheel to arrive and I also plan on stretching it quite a bit. The original forks and wheels are bent and the frame was otherwise pretty bare. My buddy bought it just for the Tecumseh engine that was on it and gave me the frame. Plan is to finish assembly to get it all mocked up then have it powder coated

but to the real question welding it solid so it no longer pivots (not that it had much if any travel before) to make it as solid as possible. 8 inches of stretch to the rear and the forks will have probably added another 3 inches placing the axles much further apart. Power will come from an electric start 212. Obviously I don’t want to have it come flying apart on me! The front wheel will be a 2.75x10 and the rear is a 145/70-6 IMG_0274.jpeg IMG_0275.jpeg IMG_0290.jpeg
 
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OrangeAnimal

Active Member
#2
#2
Not sure how but I also need to make the frame a bit wider in the rear. I have some laser cut tabs coming that I will likely have to modify as well to get the angle right. I have decided to weld a piece of tubing in the back where the bolt used to hold the springs down. I notched it and fitted it just a bit ago. Should work out well for keeping everything square.
 
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OrangeAnimal

Active Member
#6
#6
Brackets welded on! Well from the outsides. I still need to do a bit more but not bad for an old flux core welder. I will say this setup is almost too wide! IMG_0305.jpeg IMG_0306.jpeg
Also I need to cut off the original mounts then reinforce it on the outside or the chain will rub. I will not have too much room for error. Currently it’s all squared up and raises the bike up a considerable amount from the stock height. But I needed the lift to match the front.
 
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OrangeAnimal

Active Member
#7
#7
Oh now we’re talking. Need some spacers for the front wheel and then that will be all sorted out next to build some seat brackets. I got the new to me front end off eBay (easier and cheaper than finding someone to bend back into shape the other set of forks. Next the brake and then figuring out a setup for handlebars. I do plan on running some lights too. Just a basic headlight tail light setup. I could run a brake light as well I already have all the parts here to make that work.

Just fishing for an opinion here but leave it raked like this or lower it level? IMG_0308.jpeg IMG_0308.jpeg
 
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OrangeAnimal

Active Member
#10
#10
It is a sprung front end so I probably should sit the engine on it at the least to see if the sag makes it any lower. Then adjust it from there.

I don’t want to take too much off the springs cause that’s the only way I can lower it without buying springs that just don’t handle as much weight.

I am also still working on the handlebar arrangement I found some that are 13 inches tall and with the mounts that would bring them close to 14 inches. It’s for cruising not racing. I will be running a simple centrifugal clutch set up on it too.
 
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OrangeAnimal

Active Member
#13
#13
I have not had too much trouble with it. Once making it no longer pivot. I still need to add more metal to it in some key areas. It should be more than sturdy enough. It’s not for off road adventures by any means lol.
 
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OrangeAnimal

Active Member
#15
#15
Maybe a stupid question but I am looking at how to reinforce the frame particularly at the steering neck.
So question just weld up the frame itself where the neck attaches or weld it to the neck as well making it one extremely stiff point in the whole assembly?
 
Havasu Dave

Havasu Dave

Moderator
#17
#17
Hey Pard, you don't need to do that. Gentle riding, it will be fine, provided you welded it right. The thing is about weight. Me and a Hodaka buddy were talking a few years ago, and both of us had lost significant poundage off of our bodies. We both saw massive performance improvement in the machines. Everything you put on sucks power. This is just some advice from a guy who figured that stuff out. Looking at that plate, I'd have some fun making nice beads there. haha!
 
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